Colombian signee reignites Union fans' playoff aspirations

PHILADELPHIA - The way the fans carried on Thursday at Fado Irish Pub, you would have thought the Philadelphia Union just agreed to terms with David Beckham, not Faryd Mondragon, the 39-year-old goalkeeper from Colombia.

Then again, the way the Union gave away goals and games in its inaugural season, you could understand the excitement from the season ticket holders and manager Peter Nowak.

The Union also agreed to terms with defender Carlos Valdes, 25, another Colombian with international experience, partly to make Mondragon comfortable and partly to create competition. But the obvious target was Mondragon, who, when the numbers become official, could emerge as the highest paid goalkeeper in Major League Soccer.

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Successful on numerous levels, Mondragon is the stopper and leader the Union knew they needed before they gave up their first goal last spring.

All of this can mean only one thing for the Union - the playoffs, right?

"When you look at the whole back line," Nowak said, rattling off the names of almost everyone on the defense, "I believe there are going to be enough guys who really can shut the door on the goals. We have enough weapons up front to make it work offensively for us. We all know that defense wins championships. We are very creative. We are a very offensive-minded team. But when we go forward we need to make sure that the back will stay

solid."

In soccer cleats, Nowak would reach about chest level with the 6-foot-3 Mondragon. If talk means anything, they not only share the same lofty goals but the feeling they have something to prove.

Mondragon didn't talk about his days with FC Cologne in the German Bundesliga, much less bash the team that benched him. It couldn't have been a lot of fun. For weeks there was talk about Mondragon terminating his contract after management went in a much younger direction with 26-year-old goalkeeper Michael Rensing.

It's apparent Mondragon doesn't feel as old as his previous employers made him out to be, and that he believes MLS is just the place to start over or state his case.

"At this time it's not about money," Mondragon said. "At this time it's about enjoying playing soccer, to live in a great country like the USA, to live in a great city like Philadelphia. I guess (other teams were interested) but this was the first team that really contacted me and after that I wanted to be here. They said they were interested. I'm not focusing on the economic terms. I want to enjoy playing for a franchise like this with these kinds of fans. Sometimes in life other things are more important than money."

Mondra declined to discuss terms of his contract. But with sponsor Bimbo in the fold, he's being paid Designated Player money that doesn't count against the cap. The buzz is Mondragon could be making $400,000 this season. If that estimate is on target and the Union has assessed his skills correctly, first-round draft pick Zac MacMath (Maryland) will have a tough time getting on the PPL Park pitch in Chester.

Mondragon has 50 international caps, or games played, many with Colombia's 1992 Olympics team and 1998 World Cup team. He was in the nets last October in a 0-0 tie versus the U.S. at PPL Park. Mondragon also has played with Deportivo Cali, Argentina's Atletico Independiente, Spain's Real Zaragoza, France's Metz and Turkey's Galatasaray.

Valdes has four caps. He also has played for America of Cali. Valdes, who doesn't speak English, last played with Colombia's Club Santa Fe.

"It's a pleasure for me to be here today and I'm very happy with the opportunity that I have here," Valdes said through an interpreter. "I want to share the dream of making history in Philadelphia."

With goalie Chris Seitz on the job much of the way, the Union gave up 49 goals last season, the second-worst in MLS. One of their most consistent defenders was Danny Califf. Mondragon should be able to put a dent in it.